JASON HOLT knows full well the difference between the Rangers side that were Premiership challengers in years gone by and the one which will be Premiership champions this term.
But the midfielder admits that insight doesn’t make Steven Gerrard’s side any easier to stop after they continued their relentless march towards the top flight title on Wednesday night.
A late goal from Alfredo Morelos was enough for Rangers as they beat Livingston to extend their unbeaten league run and move within four points of their first silverware of Gerrard’s reign.
For long spells, it looked as if it would be one of those evenings for the champions-elect as a first half penalty claim was denied and a series of chances missed and David Martindale’s side would equip themselves well once again.
In the end, Livingston couldn’t hold on as Morelos scored five minutes from time to secure the win that takes Rangers another step closer to achieving their Premiership ambitions.
And former Ibrox midfielder Holt was frustrated Livingston were undone so close to the end of what turned out to be a controversial and dramatic fixture at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Holt said: “That’s it. You know you are going to be in for an extremely difficult game when you play them.
Rangers moved to the verge of a first Scottish Premiership title since 2011 after Alfredo Morelos' late strike handed them a 1-0 victory at Livingston. pic.twitter.com/3zXeDQAuS7
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 4, 2021
“You know they are going to be at you for the whole 90 minutes plus stoppage time, however long it takes.
“You have to be at it and on your toes and ready for whatever they throw at you. I felt we were at it and it was disappointing to lose a goal so late in the match.
“I think the difference is their intensity levels and the fact that they are really ruthless. There is no let-up in matches against them.
“They are constantly putting pressure on teams and testing teams. When you play against them you have to be on your toes all the time.
“They have so many dangerous players. There’s no doubt about it, they are a great team with really great players.
Rangers midfielder Steven Davis was pleased with the team's patience in their dramatic 1-0 win over Livingston. pic.twitter.com/xGDKSWv46f
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 3, 2021
“We know that. You’re always in for a difficult game when you are up against players of that calibre and they’ve shown that across the whole season.
“It was a bit mad, to be fair [when the fireworks were going off]. As players it’s out of our control but it did go on for quite a while and I could not hear a thing.”
A second successive one-goal defeat was tough to take for Livingston as they couldn’t bounce back from their Betfred Cup final defeat to St Johnstone on Sunday.
There are still aims for Martindale’s side to achieve in the coming weeks, though, as attentions turn to the trip to Motherwell. A top six berth is firmly in their sights and within their grasps this term.
Livingston boss David Martindale says he was disappointed to see his team concede a late winner to Rangers but could not fault their effort against the Scottish Premiership leaders. pic.twitter.com/N4gBOGK7ib
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 3, 2021
Holt said: “We put a lot of effort into the match against Rangers and it was disappointing not to come away from the game with anything.
“I thought the lads done really well for the most part and it’s just gutting we never got anything.
“It’s been two tough games in a row for us but we did really well against Rangers and we were just unlucky not to get a result.
“It was a cruel way to lose it in the end. It was not great to lose it so late on. It was a real blow but we’ve got another big game coming up on Saturday and we will regroup and be ready for that.
“It is still our ambition to get top six and get over the line. We are in a good position to do that but it’s up to us to make that happen.
“Our game against Motherwell on Saturday is massive and we will be aiming for three points.”
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